solarus

Thanks Yodrak.

Milk in bags - the gallon jugs down here are stupid. The first pour always runs down the side.

I assume I can go back to work once I get email approval of my EAD?

This would be a company I have been working with prevoisly. Any reason to wait for "card-in-hand"?

I'm currently on an F-1 student visa to the United States, going to university down here. I'm just wondering if this would cause any problems if my fiancee files a K-1 visa application on my behalf...

1. While I'm already on an F-1 visa

2. While I'm already in the United States

I'm hoping to graduate in December, and my visa will expire and I will most likely be going back to Canada after that, but will it cause any problems if my fiancee files the application now, before my visa expires and before I leave the country?

I've often had several visas @ once, and had an active O2 when I applied for my K1. My lawyer did tell me that it wasn't a probelm.

I have had an SSN for several years (L1, O1 visas). I'm told you only get one and it stays with you for life. I'm sure I have supplied the SSN # on at least one of my applications.

Maybe because technology has come so far and you can buy inkjets that print high res now....

The inks in a quality printer also last years and years without fading, some don't run when wet ... I think the big issue - and this is in the US passport application I picked up, and I don't see it on the webpage - that they be able to withstand a fair bit of heat for the lamination process. I don't have the application form anymore but i think it was 200F (Correct me if I'm wrong). I just went to a photo lab with my digital file and got 4 prints at 0.30c each. probably cheaper than paper and ink at home.

We are going to DCF tomorrow and we're strapped for cash. I have all the technology goodies here to do our own photos and wanted to ask the VJ public, who did their own? I guess if we get there and they won't accept them we can hit the streets of Toronto to get some done but I'd really like to save the cash...

I found a website that shows how to get the dimensions right in photoshop (AND sorry if this isn't "off topic" but I wanted to ask a more general crowd, rather than a specific forum). I've got a nice canon printer that does photos as good as walmart or the like....

just wanted to ask, thanks

I paid way too much for passport photos. They aren't picky in the US with the photos being signed, notarised, and dated etc. When I went for a bunch for my AOS/EAD apps the guy charged me close to $40, and all he did was stand me up against a wall and snap a shot with a shitty digital. (I own 3 pro digital cameras.)

So, to answer your question, NO PROBLEM. Just follow the passport photo guide lines exactly. Make sure it is on a white/ off white even background. No shadows. full face - (and don't get too close with a wide lense, better to zoom in, you don't want distortion.)

I took photos of my wife for here new US passport (new name after marriage). They accpted them no problem. I even went back to the photo store that bilked me on my photos and they printed them no charge. (it would have only been $2 for 4 x 4"x6" digital print. I put 2 per 4"x6" and cut them out at home. Now we have extras, plus a digital file if we should need more.)

ALSO - I saw a kodak photo kiosk at the drugstore here that has a passport photo size option - very inexpensiive. That may be easier if you don't have photoshop or something similar.

I think the key is that the final print be on REAL photo paper, as opposed to a color printer.

VisaJourney.com "Timeline" is quite useful for finding out approximate processing times.

They seem to be pretty close to 90 days. Some people seem to get it ealier. Mine was delayed due to a resheduled biometrics appointment. I finally had my biometrics taken 38 days after the original appointment, and my EAD came 128 days after my application was received (90 + 38).

Another way is to buy a computer with, at minimum, a DVD-reader (most now come with DVD-burners in base-pack).

My engagement DVD (recorded in Chennai) will not play in US DVD-player (I actually tried this), but plays nicely through Nero on a PC.

Can't you change the coding on it somehow and reburn for a US version?

There are video stores that will convert (they have to record a new tape) video cassettes from PAL or SECAM (russia, europe), NTSC (north american standard). Its got to do with the # of lines of resolution and refresh rate. North american NTSC is kinda crappy in comparison.

Your conversion won't look as good as the original. but you'll still have the original.

Hey, what am I thinking, I bet they put it on a DVD if you want these days.

How do you get to speak to an agent? Everytime I have called the Customer Service line all I get is a computer recording.

In the telephone menu - I went through to the option where you have an approved application but you haven't recieved anything in the mail or something like that. There were a number of opportunities to speak to an agent I recall. You'll have to wait on hold.

-Technically my application was not approved, but I was told otherwise at the infopass, so I just went with it. The agent on the phone agreed I was way past my date , took my info, initiated an inquiry, and gave me a receipt # - said it could take up o 30 days. It took 1.

My biometrics were delayed 38 days, and so was my EAD (received @ 128 days). So this may be normal actually. The phone call and approval may just be coincidence after all.

DVDs come with many secuity feaures to stop copy and distribution.

Besides the standard macrovision security features that inhibit copying, There are region codes to keep DVD from moving between countries.

There are also RCE's (region code enhancements) Some DVDs won't play on a multi-region DVD player. i.e. a North American DVD (region 1) with RCE will only play on a DVD player set to region 1. Will not play on a player set to region 1 thru 8.

If you have a computer there is very inexpensive software (like mac the ripper) that will strip/replace the region codes and the RCE so you can watch your favorite foriegn DVDs.

Rember: copying DVDs you don't own is a crime.

Yodrak,

Yes, I now realize that they view the same info. However, had the officer been looking at the correct application, she could have initiated an inquiry at least. This is what I did on the phone when I got home.

My case status was touched yesterday after the phone call.

My EAD WAS APPROVED TODAY! Hurray! - just got 5 email

My advice to those who have overdue EADs is to wait it out on hold and speak to an agent.

This also may just be a coincidence ..

I went for an INFOPASS interview today to see what was taking my EAD so long (application received June 8). The woman told me that the I-765 had been approved and that they mailed me a card Sept. 28. Great, but too good to be true?

I asked if she might be looking at my I-131 application for travel by mistake - which I got email notice of approval Sept 28 - as the receipt number is 1 digit off. Could she double check.

To which she replied "I'm looking right at it on the screen - a card's been mailed to you, good for 1 year."

When I got home I checked the status on line - no approval. I then called USCIS, waited on hold for an eternity, and was told that "No, my EAD was not approved yet." and "The immigration officer you saw was probably looking at your I-131 application case status by mistake."

They did agree that it was over due and would look into it. I got a receipt # and more waiting I guess.

What a waste of a day.

Be nice to your hands. I had a very small scratch (almost invisible) on my right index and they rejected my prints. Went back 2 weeks later and was successful. Delayed everything though.

I made at least 4 trips to California from Toronto while my K-1 was pending with no hassles. I am self employed as well. However, I had been travelling/working in the US for 15 yrs on various visas, so the maybe the immigration officers kinda knew me.

I was never asked anything other that 'purpose of trip'. and replied 'to visit my fiancee'.

I would also love to know if a K-1's I-94 is all that is required. I have been waiting here in San Diego for over 3 months for my EAD (NBC rec'd my I-131 June 8, 2006)

I somehow doubt that this is the case.

I have my interview May 2nd in MTL. Should I buy a suit? Or is casual fine?